BOULDER, Colo. – By day, Donick Cary is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer whose credits include The Simpsons, The Late Show with David Letterman, New Girl, and Parks and Recreation. But when he’s not on a Hollywood set, the TV mogul immerses himself in running Musack.org, a nonprofit that underwrites student music programs for at-risk youth, from Compton, California to Appalachia and beyond. In a gesture of great generosity, Cary is auctioning Pre-Columbian and ethnographic art, and unique entertainment memorabilia from his personal collections to benefit Musack.org so the organization can continue its worthy mission of subsidizing music teachers and purchasing musical instruments.
The October 5 auction will be hosted by Artemis Gallery, with absentee and Internet live-bidding available through LiveAuctioneers.com. As is the case with all Artemis Gallery auctions, each and every piece will convey to the buyer with an ironclad certificate of authenticity.
Because of his inside connections, Cary’s entertainment memorabilia collection contains items that are unique in the dictionary sense of the word. For example, Lot 2 is a Simpsons Tony Hawk skateboarder action figure in its original packaging, signed by the skating legend himself. Hawk was featured in episode 11 of season 14, which aired in February 2003. “In that episode, Bart sues Homer for emancipation and leaves home to live in a cool loft in downtown Springfield, where his neighbor is none other than Tony Hawk,” explained Artemis Gallery Executive Director Teresa Dodge. “This is a one-of-a-kind autographed memento of that appearance.” It is estimated at $200-$300.
Lot 1 is a boxed LP of Hamilton – An American Musical signed by the illustrious cast of the 2015 smash Broadway play, including its writer/lead actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, estimate $800-$1,200. This item was donated to the auction by Emmy Award-winning writer/executive producer Dave Finkel (30 Rock, New Girl). Also donated by Finkel, a Spaulding TF-1000 basketball signed by former NBA star and current ESPN sports analyst Jalen Rose is estimated at $400-$600.
Lot 10A, a Rogue Model RD80 acoustic guitar (shown at top), is signed by multi-talented performer Justin Timberlake. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Other entertainment highlights include: Lot 9, a 1978 large-format studio photo print (6/25) of Michael Jackson, signed and donated by the photographer, Brad Elterman, $1,500-$2,000; Lot 33, a New Girl poster signed by the entire 2016 cast, $400-$600; and Lot 123, a signed color photograph of President Gerald Ford together with a football signed by Ford circa 1970s, $800-$1,200.
A wonderful array of Pre-Columbian art from the Cary Donick collection includes many Mayan rarities. Lot 30, a superbly carved-stone hacha depicting a human head in profile, comes from Guatemala and dates to circa 550-950 CE. “Hachas were believed to be axe-heads. This stands to reason, since ‘hacha’ is the Spanish word for ‘axe,’” said Dodge. An especially well executed example, it is expected to make $5,000-$7,000.
The auction features many fascinating figural objects, such as Lot 37, a Pre-Columbian Vera Cruz, Mexico, hand-built terracotta incensario depicting a seated male. The figure’s adornments suggest the subject is an elder of elite status. Dating from 600-900 CE, it carries a $2,000-$3,000 estimate.
An early and especially beautiful Pre-Columbian Chorrera (Ecuador) pottery stirrup jar is a three-dimensional depiction of a male figure with sensitively modeled facial features and obsidian eyes, circa 1200-500 BCE. Its pre-sale estimate is $1,200-$1,500.
Lot 6, a circa 500-900 CE Pre-Columbian terracotta cylinder from the Ulua Valley, Honduras, is decorated with the image of a pair of playful, long-limbed monkeys – one preparing to catch a cacao pod. From the same region, Lot 50 is a circa 550-900 CE polychrome-painted cocoa cup adorned with images of kneeling lords in headdresses. Each of the vessels is estimated at $800-$1,00.
From the Cary Donick ethnographic art collection, Lot 16 is a 19th-century articulated, carved and painted wood figure of Jesus. It is derivative of a type that was used in medieval times, both in Spain and its colonies, to act out key moments from the Bible. Later, figures such as the one entered in the auction were dressed in clothing and used in processions and rituals. When prone, it measures 35 by 10 inches. Estimate: $900-$1,400
Two paintings from the “New World” are worthy of note. Lot 94 (shown above), a colorful Prefete Duffaut (Haitian, 1923-2012) gouache on Masonite landscape was executed around the 1990s measures 29¼ by 23¼ (sight). Its pre-sale estimate is $2,000-$3,000. From Mexico, a David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974) color lithograph titled Vista Aerea comes form the artist’s “Mountain Suite,” which was printed in 1969. Signed at lower right and numbered 139/250 at lower left, this compelling abstract by an important modern muralist, painter and printmaker could reach a winning bid in the $1,000-$1,500 range.
A beautiful 18th-century Mexican dark wood table exhibits the Spanish colonial style, with four legs reminiscent of lion’s-paw supports. This substantial 27.2 by 22¾-inch antique table is estimated at $1,200-$1,500. Also noteworthy, Lot 54 (shown above) is a handsome early 20th-century Mexican wood “nicho” for the display of santos or other religious artwork. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500
The Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 auction will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information about any item in the auction, call Teresa Dodge at 720-502-5289 or email teresa@artemisgallery.com.
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